My official office hours
are from 2-4 pm on Wednesdays, but feel free to drop in with questions or concerns
any time. You can email me
before you stop by if you want to make sure that I'm in the office (FPAT 157).

Homework can be dropped off any time before it is
due in class by sliding it under my door. Graded work not returned in class can be picked up in my
office any time I am there.

For any other information about current or future courses, please
contact Prof. Beck.

MSE 301: Materials Science II:
Materials Science and Engineering is a broad field, linking mathematics, chemistry and physics
to build an understanding of the "Materials Paradigm": the inter-relationship of processing,
properties, structure and performance. In MSE 201, Materials Science I, the basic classification
of materials is introduced, along with mechanical properties and the language of and basic mathematical
relationships governing mechanical properties. MSE 301 continues this introduction, branching to
electrical, thermal and magnetic properties, introducing fatigue and failure and their mechanisms,
examining techniques of materials selection and materials processing, and concluding with a deeper
exploration of nucleation, growth and phase transformations.

MSE 351: Thermodynamics:
Thermodynamics is a critical study of truth in the world. Every subject touched upon in science
will have some aspect to deal with thermodynamics. You can be a biologist and never need to know
cosmic theory. You can be a material scientist and never need to know biology. BUT, you can't be
a scientist or an engineer and not know thermodynamics. For this reason we will focus the first
part of this course on the basics of the field and then go into subtopics of unique interest to the
materials scientist. These include; Solution thermodynamics, partial molar quantitites; ideal and
nonideal solutions; application of thermodynamics to phase equilibria, heterogeneous equilibria,
free energy-composition diagrams, temperature-pressure relationships.

Previously Offered: Spring 2010. Spring 2011, Spring 2012

MSE 101: Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering:
This course for first-year engineers who have declared or are considering declaring in Materials
Engineering is an introduction to the field and profession. The course will impart an understanding
of the work and importance of materials engineering in technology and society at large. Students will
be introduced to a range of basic tools and techniques that will be used throughout their undergraduate
education and beyond. A significant portion of the course will be devoted to presentations by
practicing materials engineers working in diverse areas.

Previously Offered: Fall 2011, Fall 2010, Fall 2009

MSE 202: Materials Engineering Laboratory I:
The materials laboratory course will provide experience with a variety of topics, experimental
techniques and analysis of materials. This lab introduces students to basic materials characterization
laboratory techniques, such as metallography and tensile testing. Provides hands-on experience and
includes instruction and practice in use of numerous instruments and equipment typical of the materials
engineering discipline. Data reduction, analysis and interpretation are covered, as well as report writing.

Previously Offered: Fall 2011, Fall 2010

MSE/CME 599: Applied Computational Methods:
Mathematical models allow scientific results to be assimilated and transmitted as knowledge and
understanding that is useful in the engineering of practical products. This course will teach
students to develop, implement and apply mathematical models relevant in science and engineering.
Students will gain an understanding of what modeling and simulation is, and what role such
techniques play in applied science and engineering. Students will learn to translate experimental
and theoretical results into tractable mathematical models. They will be introduced to the process
of implementing useful simulation tools based on these models in MS Excel, MATLAB, Maple, and
COMSOL. They will learn to evaluate and apply the results of simulations to practical
engineering problems. Students will also build skills in: data analysis, use of MS Excel and
MATLAB, Maple and COMSOL, as well as technical writing and presentation.